Everyone was looking at me, waiting for my response. A few genuinely concerned ones said, "Michelle, we finally met Chlo. How can you let her foot the bill? Let's stick to the old rule and go Dutch."

I was about to speak, but Michelle interrupted, "Forget it! Going Dutch? Chlo is no ordinary person now. She's the renowned Chloe Hartz in the Foswood construction industry. You're going to make her laugh. Go Dutch? What's on this table is nothing to her."

Ivanna looked at the smug Michelle and said, "This one needs a reality check."

I gestured for her to stay quiet. Michelle continued, "I understand Chlo very well. Even when she buys things for her child, it's all from luxury brands. Do you think she cares about the dishes for a bunch of old classmates? It would just be a joke."

She was trying to manipulate me, using moral pressure.

"Don't be petty! She’d be laughing at us if we went Dutch," she added, looking at me and asking, "Right, Chlo?"

Before I could answer, the door to the p